Tuesday, November 05, 2013

· Full Circle ·

(photo by Juliana Christina)

Hullo, me hearties.

I've just returned home after an exhilarating trip to Belo Horizonte, MG, in which I attended the Prog Camp Fest, a 3-day camping with lots of bands, booze, naked people and weed. Yes, I know. That's not the environment for the likes of me. I guess Bárbara and Reinaldo (the producers who booked me, and really good friends) caught me in a day of a particularly good mood; otherwise, I don't think I would EVER have left the comforts of home to face the dreadful heat, the infinity of problems I had before the actual concert began (there were many, including the crowning jewel of it all: the international jackass who delayed my concert a whole day), and played Through Waves' songs to an audience of people I've never seen in my life. Perhaps that was the challenge I had to take, and as it turns out, I did graciously well.

(photo by Bárbara Laranjeira)

I can't really explain the reasons why I decided to perform a setlist of Through Waves' original songs, as that is something I simply don't do and you know it oh so well, save by saying that it was a necessity of closure, as I included some songs from "Schadenfreude" (and, well, most of the set was comprised of "Santuário" tracks, which I would always play with little trouble in my mind, since this album is entirely wonderful and a pleasure to listen to. There, I said it.). To rehearse these songs was a tremendous effort, and I find the repetition to be absolutely horrifying; and I have no recollection of what actually happened during the time I played the first and the last songs of the performance. I don't rememeber anything... - But since the reception to Through Waves was so warm and welcoming, I believe I actually put up a good concert. The ways of the Universe are, indeed, strange. I've been running away all my life from something that ultimately is good, true and important, if made with respect and utmost care. It takes time.

(photo by Hudson Carvalho)

After the presentation, I was taken to UFMG, the public university complex of Belo Horizonte, to busk around and meet new people, and that was a delightful experience, because I came full circle with the town: I presented the proper duality of Through Waves, the original works of my intimate world and the traditional music that opened ajar so many doors in my life. I believe that, even though the people I met there were fantastic beyond description, the most important thing was that I had the proper way to share Through Waves. Complete. Only like this the stage-experience isn't a dreadful affair. So yes, I might even do it again, if the spheres are aligned. We'll see where 2014 will take me. ;)

(photo by Bárbara Laranjeira)

The setlist I presented at the Progcamp, on November 3 2013:

The Herb Primitive

Napaeus

Membranous Wings/Red is the Colour of My True Love's Hair

Hermaphroditos

Skiff of Wood

No Choices

A Bury of Rabbits

Winged Water, Feathered River

The Taurus Moon

A Ponte dos Mortos

The Dreamcatcher

Schadenfreude

(scan by Juliana Christina)

(photo by Hudson Carvalho)

(photo by Bárbara Laranjeira)

(photo by Natalia Vieira)

(photo by Natalia Vieira)

(photo by Juliana Christina)

On a slightly unrelated note, "Schadenfreude" was released as a regular edition disc after the original limited edition boxset was sold-out during this whole adventure. You are able to purchase the 2CD jewelcase on Bandcamp, by clicking on the photo below:

So these are the notes of the road. Thank you all who invited me to the fest, those who attended, the fabulous friends who actually even helped me with the burdensome luggage and those who travelled with the sole purpose of watching me perform. Thank you Bárbara, Reinaldo and Sub Rosa; thank you Amanda, André, Arthur, Juliana (and your wonderful parents), Henrique, Alan and Rafael. Thank you ever so much. You are simply amazing.